He ran 2nd in the Group II Prince Edward VII Trophy. Then he ran a third place in the French Ugin Adam Prize after disqualifying from his second place.

Mr. Larry Yung bought by a hearsay of £130,000 and imported the horse to Hong Kong.

He got a rating of 103 after his brilliant performance among the European contenders.

Carrying 133 lb and won his inaugural victory by a short head in Hong Kong, he was straight on to win the last Derby before the HKSAR reunion.
With INDIGENOUS as his stable-mates which had 5 winnings that season.

1997-1998 season, ORIENTAL EXPRESS was crowned as Horse of the Year after his superb battles in the QE Cup and then the Japan ground.

During the 1998/99 racing season, he kept low key in nearly all of the Group I races until defeating INDIGENOUS, the trio-title holder.